PUBLIC VS. PRIVATE FINANCING OF THE ISRAELI HEALTHCARE SYSTEM: TRENDS, CHALLENGES, AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS (1995 2023)

This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the long-term trends in public and private financing of the Israeli healthcare system from 1995 to 2023. It highlights the structural changes in funding, the growing role of supplementary and private insurance, and the challenges posed by increasing private expenditure on equity and accessibility. The findings reveal that Israel relies heavily on private financing (≈40% of total health expenditure), one of the highest shares in the OECD. Policy implications are discussed with regard to sustainability, equity, and future reforms